Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Last Sunflower

6x6 watercolor and Micron 01 pen sketch of one of the last studio sunflowers planted in August. They were photographed in various stages of growth for future references. With this painting done yesterday I tried to focus more on the background and let that be its focus although strongest value is its head of seeds. Petals and leaves were left alone for the most part. When dry I used a tiny stencil to letter sunflower lower left.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2013 Kay Smith.

Meet Kay Smith

self portrait

PERSONAL CHECKS

Cheesy Cow checks - click on image for more

About Kay Smith

In 1993 oil painter and pastelist Kay Smith began watercolor with her first Ken Hosmer workshop. With this ever changing medium she found her niche. Largely self taught, she keeps abreast of changing trends in color, design, and subject matter by taking or giving watercolor or mixed media workshops. She maintains studios in Ruidoso, New Mexico and in Texas.

She is a registered nurse by profession.

Her award winning work is included in Color Mixing: The 12 Hue Method, by Christopher Willard, Rockport Publishers (2002); Splash 7, (2002) and Painter's Quick Reference Birds & Butterflies (2008) North Light Books. Her work has been included in two International Artist books, "100 Ways to Paint Still Life & Florals" Vol. 2; "100 Ways to Paint People & Figures" Vol. 2. Her work is also in Art Business News, March 2005; Watercolor Magic magazine August 2004 and April 2005; and in Tom Lynch's Watercolor Rescue Secrets, 2008.

In 2010, her floral art appeared in the popular worldwide publication, The Artistic Touch 4 by Chris Unwin, and The Artistic Touch 5 in 2012 contains two pet portraits. The Artistic Touch 2013 also has pet portraits as does their book in 2014.

Another North Light book, Splash 14 (2013) published her white cat art, "Sinatra" as posted on this blog (August 2011).

Avian Diseases volume 60 No. 1, March 2016 published by American Association of Avian Pathologists, has her chicken sketch as its cover art.

Nine of her images can be seen in the new Red Mesa Grill in Big Spring, TX. Specializing in pet portraits is her passion. Kay's work hangs in the Texas State Capital in Austin and in Germany, Netherlands, Thailand, France, England, Canada and Australia.

She serves as a moderator on WetCanvas, a division of F+W Media, Inc. WetCanvas.com is the largest forum on the internet for visual artists. Founded in 1998, it's home to over 11 million posts, adding about 4,000+ news posts daily. With over 800,000 members you can find Kay in the Watermedia channel.

LOVE CATS, DOGS AND OTHER ANIMALS? How about seeing mine on this blog then visit my Daily Painters online gallery to see even more pet portraits!

She has attained signature status with six watercolor societies: Southwestern, Wyoming, Texas, New Mexico, Society of Watercolor Artists, and Watercolor Art Society-Houston (WAS-H). In 2012 a prestigious signature was earned with the Western Federation of Watercolor Societies, a group of 13 organizations of 4900 painters.

Most recently signature was awarded by Texas & Neighbors (Irving Art Assn), and Elite Signature Status with WAS-H, April 2013.

Dick Blick Art Materials has chosen her holiday art for their winter season catalog 2012-2013.

Artist's Statement

"Working from dark to light provides me with immediate gratification seeing value comparisons. Whether I'm painting architectural subjects, animals, floral or still life, I am always looking for the darks first. By establishing these values early, I'm better able to judge the values that follow.

Since creating art is a solitary pursuit, I become absorbed and as one with the painting. Initial excitement usually drives me headlong into a sketching mode with or without value studies. Primarily I work from photographs.

I paint because I have to paint; I want to show you what I see. Viewing my works will be a revelation of who I am.